Difference between revisions of "Moon Patrol"

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'''Moon Patrol''' is a port of the popular [[:Category:Action|action]]/[[:Category:Shooter|shooter]] arcade cabinet game of the same name, for the TI-99/4A released by [[:Category:Atarisoft|Atarisoft]]. It was released on [[:Category:Solid State Software Command Module|Solid State Software<sup>TM</sup> Command Module]] cartridge as part number RX 8531 for $44.95 (USD). It was programmed by [[Douglas Craig|Douglas Brian Craig]]. It originally sold during the [[:Category:1984 Software|second quarter of 1984]].
  
 
{{Infobox video game
 
{{Infobox video game
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| price = $44.95 (USD)
 
| price = $44.95 (USD)
 
}}
 
}}
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−
 
  
 
==Gameplay==
 
==Gameplay==
 +
The player in Moon Patrol plays as a volunteer police officer on Sector Nine, known as the home of the toughest thugs in the galaxy. The player controls a lunar buggy vehicle over the surface of the moon from a side view. The vehicle travels from left to right during gameplay. The player faces many obstacles along the way including craters, mines, and missiles from overhead UFOs. These missiles also create new craters that can make for a unique situation when they hit immediately in front of the player.
  
 +
The player maneuvers through various courses, each of which is divided into 26 checkpoints each or which is labeled with consecutive letters of the alphabet starting from A and going through Z. Checkpoints ending in E, J, O, T, and Z denote a major stage of each course which changes the theme and background color. At the end of each stage, the player's time spend to complete the stage is compared to the average stage time, and bonuses are awarded based on the time taken to complete each stage. Extra lives are awarded at 10,000, 30,000, and 50,000 points.
  
 
==Advertising Blurb==
 
==Advertising Blurb==
 
===From Back of Retail Packaging===
 
===From Back of Retail Packaging===
 +
Applications being accepted for replacement gunners in high-risk job. Hostile environment. Road conditions nonexistent due to meteor and crater hazards. Small native populations of killer plants also reported. Quick reflexes, marksmanship and driving skills a must. Bonuses for UFOs and enemy tanks. Recognition for valor. Volunteers only.
 +
 +
===From Triton Catalog - Spring 1985===
 +
You patrol sector nine, home of the toughest thugs in the galaxy. Fortunately your patrol car has anti-gravity jump buttons and laser bullets to deal with moon rocks, craters, hostile UFO's and tanks.
  
 
<!--        Manual        -->
 
<!--        Manual        -->
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<div style="padding:0.6em">
 
<div style="padding:0.6em">
  
 +
===Starting the Patrol===
 +
 +
Insert your MOON PATROL cartridge in your TI 99/4A as explained in your owners guide, and turn on your system. If you have joysticks plug them into the joystick port and check to make sure that the alpha lock is off.
 +
 +
Press + to choose the BEGINNER or CHAMPION course and 1 or 2 to choose a one- or two-player game.
 +
 +
Press ENTER or the fire button on your joystick to begin your patrol.
 +
 +
Press SPACE BAR once to pause during the game. Press it again to resume play Press + or 9 (BACK) during the game to return to the game option screen.
 +
 +
Press 8 (REDO) any time to restart the game with the same options. This can be done when GAME OVER is displayed to avoid having to go through the option screen again.
 +
 +
'''NOTE:''' Compatible with all TI 99/4A computers except units with a Version 2.2 Operating System.
 +
 +
===Joystick Controls===
 +
 +
If you do not have joysticks then refer to the Keyboard Control table for which keys to use. If you have joysticks then push up to make your patrol car jump; use the fire button to shoot at enemies or obstacles. Push your joystick right to increase the speed of your patrol car and left to slow it down.
 +
 +
===Keyboard Controls===
 +
 +
{| class="wikitable"
 +
|-
 +
| || '''Fire''' || '''Jump''' || '''Slow''' || '''Fast'''
 +
|-
 +
| Left-Handed Player || V or Q || I || J || K
 +
|-
 +
| Right-Handed Player || Y or . || E || S || D
 +
|}
 +
 +
===Patrol Mission===
 +
 +
When you signed up with the Luna City Police Department, who would have thought that you'd be assigned to Sector Nine? (It's home to the toughest thugs in the galaxy!) Sure, you've got the finest car on the force, complete with anti-gravity jump buttons and laser bullets, but in the rough terrain of Sector Nine, you need more than fancy equipment to survive. Just hopping over huge craters and moon rocks is bad enough without having to deal with hostile UFO's and enemy land mines and tanks. Getting through your patrol in one piece is almost impossible.
 +
 +
===Patrol Details===
 +
 +
Your beat is divided into two courses: BEGINNER (for rookies) and CHAMPION (for experienced cops). Each course is divided into 26 segments, marked by points A-Z. A gauge at the bottom of the screen indicates your location. The gauge is divided into five sections: A-E, E-J, J-O, O-T, and T-Z. At the end of each section, you're awarded bonus points based on your travel time. The faster you complete a section, the more points you'll score.
 +
 +
As you travel your beat, the number of obstacles you encounter increases, and it becomes harder to avoid enemy attacks.
 +
 +
===Hints For Rookies===
 +
 +
□ . . Play the BEGINNER game variation first, to learn how to control your patrol car.
 +
 +
□ . . You'll jump farther when your patrol car is moving fast; be sure you're driving fast enough to jump over an obstacle.
 +
 +
□ . . Try taking one long jump over two closely positioned obstacles.
 +
 +
□ . . Your laser bullets are only effective a short distance in front of you. Don't fire too early or you might miss your target.
 +
 +
□ . . Some UFOs drop missiles that form new craters. Learn to recognize these UFOs and eliminate them quickly:
 +
 +
□ . . When an enemy car or missile appears from behind, jump over it, then blast it when it's in front of you.
 +
 +
===Scoring===
 +
 +
{| class="wikitable"
 +
|-
 +
| [[File:Moon Patrol - Small Crater.png|50px]] || '''Small Crater'''
 +
Jumping - 50
 +
|| [[File:Moon Patrol - Space Plant.png|50px]]  || '''Space Plant'''
 +
Jumping - 100
 +
 +
Destroying - 300, 500 or 800
 +
|-
 +
| [[File:Moon Patrol - Large Crater.png|50px]] || '''Large Crater'''
 +
Jumping - 100
 +
|| [[File:Moon Patrol - Tank.png|50px]] || '''Tank'''
 +
Jumping - 100
 +
 +
Destroying - 200
 +
|-
 +
| [[File:Moon Patrol - Small Rock.png|50px]] || '''Small Rock'''
 +
Jumping - 100
 +
 +
Destroying - 100
 +
|| [[File:Moon Patrol - Enemy Car.png|50px]] || '''Enemy Car'''
 +
Detroying - 500, 800 or 1000
 +
|-
 +
| [[File:Moon Patrol - Large Rock.png|50px]] || '''Large Rock'''
 +
Jumping - 100
 +
 +
Destroying - 100
 +
 +
|| [[File:Moon Patrol - UFO1.png|50px]]
 +
 +
[[File:Moon Patrol - UFO2.png|50px]]
 +
|| '''Regular UFOs'''
 +
Destroying - 100
 +
|-
 +
| [[File:Moon Patrol - Rolling Boulder.png|50px]] || '''Rolling Boulder'''
 +
Jumping - 100
 +
 +
Destroying - 50
 +
|| [[File:Moon Patrol - Crater UFO.png|50px]] || '''Crater UFO'''
 +
Destroying - 200
 +
|-
 +
| [[File:Moon Patrol - Mine.png|50px]] || '''Mine'''
 +
Jumping - 50
 +
|| ||
 +
|}
 +
 +
====Bonus Points====
 +
 +
Destroying all UFOs in a formation of 3 . . . . . . . . . . 500
 +
 +
Destroying all UFOs in a formation of 4 . . . . . . . . . . 800
 +
 +
Completing a section in less than average time on the Beginner Course is worth 1000 plus 100 for each second better than the average time.
 +
 +
Completing a section in less than average time on the Champion course is worth 2000 plus 100 for each second better than the average time.
 +
 +
====Bonus Lives====
  
 +
At 10,000 points, 30,000 points, and 50,000 points, you earn an extra patrol car.
  
 
<div id="mp-tfp" style="margin:0.1em 0.4em 0.6em;"></div>
 
<div id="mp-tfp" style="margin:0.1em 0.4em 0.6em;"></div>
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==Downloads==
 
==Downloads==
 
<gallery>
 
<gallery>
−
Centipede Cartridge.png|Centipede Cartridge
+
Moon Patrol Cartridge.png|Moon Patrol Cartridge
−
Centipede Cartridge Top View.png|Centipede Cartridge (Top View)
+
Moon Patrol Manual Cover.jpg|Moon Patrol Manual Front Cover
−
Centipede Cover Front.jpg|Cetipede Manual Front Cover
+
Moon Patrol Box (front).jpg|Moon Patrol Box (front)
−
Centipede Box Front.jpg|Centipede Box (front)
+
Moon Patrol Box (back).jpg|Moon Patrol Box (back)
−
Centipede Box Back.jpg|Centipede Box (back)
+
Moon Patrol Manual Cover.jpg|Moon Patrol Manual Complete (pdf format)|link=https://4apedia.com/manuals/Moon%20Patrol%20Manual.pdf
−
Centipede Cover Front.jpg|Centipede Manual Complete (pdf format)|link=https://4apedia.com/manuals/Centipede%20Manual.pdf
+
Moon Patrol Cartridge.png|Moon Patrol MAME/MESS Rom (rpk format)|link=https://4apedia.com/roms/Moon%20Mine.rpk
−
Centipede Cartridge.png|Centipede MAME/MESS Rom (rpk format)|link=https://4apedia.com/roms/Centipede.rpk
 
 
Waranty Card.jpg|Atarisoft Warranty Card (pdf format)|link=https://4apedia.com/manuals/Atarisoft%20Waranty%20Card.pdf
 
Waranty Card.jpg|Atarisoft Warranty Card (pdf format)|link=https://4apedia.com/manuals/Atarisoft%20Waranty%20Card.pdf
 
Questionaire Card 1.jpg|Atarisoft Questionnaire Card|link=https://4apedia.com/manuals/Atarisoft%20Questionnaire%20Card.pdf
 
Questionaire Card 1.jpg|Atarisoft Questionnaire Card|link=https://4apedia.com/manuals/Atarisoft%20Questionnaire%20Card.pdf
Line 56: Line 172:
  
 
==External Links==
 
==External Links==
−
* [https://www.mobygames.com/game/ti-994a/moon-patrol MobyGames: Moon Patrol (TI-99/4A) Trivia]
+
* [https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/ti99/948155-moon-patrol GameFAQs: Moon Patrol TI-99/4A]
 +
* [https://www.gamesdatabase.org/game/texas-instruments-ti-99-4a/moon-patrol Games Database: Moon Patrol -  Texas Instruments TI 99/4A]
 +
* [https://www.mobygames.com/game/ti-994a/moon-patrol MobyGames: Moon Patrol (TI-99/4A)]
 
* [https://pixelpedant.com/items/show/12 PixelatedArcade: Moon Patrol]
 
* [https://pixelpedant.com/items/show/12 PixelatedArcade: Moon Patrol]
 
* [http://www.ti99ers.org/timeline/cartbytitle.html#L TI-99ers On-line User Group: TI-99 Cartridge Listing]
 
* [http://www.ti99ers.org/timeline/cartbytitle.html#L TI-99ers On-line User Group: TI-99 Cartridge Listing]

Latest revision as of 05:26, 10 November 2022

Moon Patrol is a port of the popular action/shooter arcade cabinet game of the same name, for the TI-99/4A released by Atarisoft. It was released on Solid State SoftwareTM Command Module cartridge as part number RX 8531 for $44.95 (USD). It was programmed by Douglas Brian Craig. It originally sold during the second quarter of 1984.

Moon Patrol
Front of Retail Packaging for Moon Patrol for the TI-99/4A
Moon Patrol Retail Packaging [1] [2]
Publisher(s) Atarisoft
Original Retail Price $44.95 (USD)
Programmer(s) Douglas Brian Craig
Part# RX 8531
Format(s) Solid State SoftwareTM Command Module
Release 1984 (2nd quarter)
Genre(s) Action, Shooter

Gameplay

The player in Moon Patrol plays as a volunteer police officer on Sector Nine, known as the home of the toughest thugs in the galaxy. The player controls a lunar buggy vehicle over the surface of the moon from a side view. The vehicle travels from left to right during gameplay. The player faces many obstacles along the way including craters, mines, and missiles from overhead UFOs. These missiles also create new craters that can make for a unique situation when they hit immediately in front of the player.

The player maneuvers through various courses, each of which is divided into 26 checkpoints each or which is labeled with consecutive letters of the alphabet starting from A and going through Z. Checkpoints ending in E, J, O, T, and Z denote a major stage of each course which changes the theme and background color. At the end of each stage, the player's time spend to complete the stage is compared to the average stage time, and bonuses are awarded based on the time taken to complete each stage. Extra lives are awarded at 10,000, 30,000, and 50,000 points.

Advertising Blurb

From Back of Retail Packaging

Applications being accepted for replacement gunners in high-risk job. Hostile environment. Road conditions nonexistent due to meteor and crater hazards. Small native populations of killer plants also reported. Quick reflexes, marksmanship and driving skills a must. Bonuses for UFOs and enemy tanks. Recognition for valor. Volunteers only.

From Triton Catalog - Spring 1985

You patrol sector nine, home of the toughest thugs in the galaxy. Fortunately your patrol car has anti-gravity jump buttons and laser bullets to deal with moon rocks, craters, hostile UFO's and tanks.

Manual

Starting the Patrol

Insert your MOON PATROL cartridge in your TI 99/4A as explained in your owners guide, and turn on your system. If you have joysticks plug them into the joystick port and check to make sure that the alpha lock is off.

Press + to choose the BEGINNER or CHAMPION course and 1 or 2 to choose a one- or two-player game.

Press ENTER or the fire button on your joystick to begin your patrol.

Press SPACE BAR once to pause during the game. Press it again to resume play Press + or 9 (BACK) during the game to return to the game option screen.

Press 8 (REDO) any time to restart the game with the same options. This can be done when GAME OVER is displayed to avoid having to go through the option screen again.

NOTE: Compatible with all TI 99/4A computers except units with a Version 2.2 Operating System.

Joystick Controls

If you do not have joysticks then refer to the Keyboard Control table for which keys to use. If you have joysticks then push up to make your patrol car jump; use the fire button to shoot at enemies or obstacles. Push your joystick right to increase the speed of your patrol car and left to slow it down.

Keyboard Controls

Fire Jump Slow Fast
Left-Handed Player V or Q I J K
Right-Handed Player Y or . E S D

Patrol Mission

When you signed up with the Luna City Police Department, who would have thought that you'd be assigned to Sector Nine? (It's home to the toughest thugs in the galaxy!) Sure, you've got the finest car on the force, complete with anti-gravity jump buttons and laser bullets, but in the rough terrain of Sector Nine, you need more than fancy equipment to survive. Just hopping over huge craters and moon rocks is bad enough without having to deal with hostile UFO's and enemy land mines and tanks. Getting through your patrol in one piece is almost impossible.

Patrol Details

Your beat is divided into two courses: BEGINNER (for rookies) and CHAMPION (for experienced cops). Each course is divided into 26 segments, marked by points A-Z. A gauge at the bottom of the screen indicates your location. The gauge is divided into five sections: A-E, E-J, J-O, O-T, and T-Z. At the end of each section, you're awarded bonus points based on your travel time. The faster you complete a section, the more points you'll score.

As you travel your beat, the number of obstacles you encounter increases, and it becomes harder to avoid enemy attacks.

Hints For Rookies

□ . . Play the BEGINNER game variation first, to learn how to control your patrol car.

□ . . You'll jump farther when your patrol car is moving fast; be sure you're driving fast enough to jump over an obstacle.

□ . . Try taking one long jump over two closely positioned obstacles.

□ . . Your laser bullets are only effective a short distance in front of you. Don't fire too early or you might miss your target.

□ . . Some UFOs drop missiles that form new craters. Learn to recognize these UFOs and eliminate them quickly:

□ . . When an enemy car or missile appears from behind, jump over it, then blast it when it's in front of you.

Scoring

Moon Patrol - Small Crater.png Small Crater

Jumping - 50

Moon Patrol - Space Plant.png Space Plant

Jumping - 100

Destroying - 300, 500 or 800

Moon Patrol - Large Crater.png Large Crater

Jumping - 100

Moon Patrol - Tank.png Tank

Jumping - 100

Destroying - 200

Moon Patrol - Small Rock.png Small Rock

Jumping - 100

Destroying - 100

Moon Patrol - Enemy Car.png Enemy Car

Detroying - 500, 800 or 1000

Moon Patrol - Large Rock.png Large Rock

Jumping - 100

Destroying - 100

Moon Patrol - UFO1.png

Moon Patrol - UFO2.png

Regular UFOs

Destroying - 100

Moon Patrol - Rolling Boulder.png Rolling Boulder

Jumping - 100

Destroying - 50

Moon Patrol - Crater UFO.png Crater UFO

Destroying - 200

Moon Patrol - Mine.png Mine

Jumping - 50

Bonus Points

Destroying all UFOs in a formation of 3 . . . . . . . . . . 500

Destroying all UFOs in a formation of 4 . . . . . . . . . . 800

Completing a section in less than average time on the Beginner Course is worth 1000 plus 100 for each second better than the average time.

Completing a section in less than average time on the Champion course is worth 2000 plus 100 for each second better than the average time.

Bonus Lives

At 10,000 points, 30,000 points, and 50,000 points, you earn an extra patrol car.

Downloads

  • Moon Patrol Cartridge

  • Moon Patrol Manual Front Cover

  • Moon Patrol Box (front)

  • Moon Patrol Box (back)

  • Moon Patrol Manual Complete (pdf format)

  • Moon Patrol MAME/MESS Rom (rpk format)

  • Atarisoft Warranty Card (pdf format)

  • Atarisoft Questionnaire Card

References

  1. ↑ "TI99ers On-Line User Group: TI-99 Cartridge Listing". 
  2. ↑ "TI Video Game House: Moon Patrol". 

External Links

Retrieved from "https://4apedia.com/index.php?title=Moon_Patrol&oldid=8668"